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First Sunday Family Service

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Bob Nishita's Dharma message for today's First Sunday Family Service was about judgement. We often judge others based on how we see things from our point of view. When you point at someone, three fingers are pointing right back at you.

Bob also talked to us about being different. All of us are different and that's a good thing. Can you imagine if all of us were the same? We'd be arguing and agreeing with ourselves!

After celebrating July birthdays and refreshments, today's First Sunday family activity was making shaving cream and glue ice cream cones.

We celebrated July birthdays

Rev. Noriaki Sumi visited us today. Rev. Sumi was Kailua Hongwanji's minister from 1985 to 1987. From left to right: Rev. Kuniyuki, Rev. Sumi, Keiji Kukino, Rev. Sumikawa

Sunday Family Service

Today's Dharma message was by Rev. Bert Sumikawa. He shared his experiences during his annual trip to Berkeley, reinforcing the message of Amida Buddha that things do occur to us in our daily lives that we don't necessarily enjoy, but helps us to know ourselves.

Today was also Remembrance Day for the month of June. Members offered incense as the names of friends and family who passed away in June were called. Remembrance Day is held on the fourth Sunday of the month.

Father's Day Service

Today's Father's Day Dharma message was by Shirley. She remembered her father and all that he did for her and her siblings growing up on Maui, such using his carpentry skills to build something or picking ogo and hunting for tako. 

Sunday Family Service

In today's Dharma Talk, Rev. Bert Sumikawa discussed wisdom and compassion. We need both. Buddhism is not about being nice. It's about being real and seeing things as they really are.

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First Sunday Family Service

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Dr. Michael Jaffe gave today's Dharma Talk, "The Science of Happiness." He shared photos of the people of Bhutan, which measures the level of happiness of its people. Happiness is a core philosophy of the Buddhist nation, which measures and tracks its Gross National Happiness.

We celebrated June birthday and, after today's service, we decorated hand-shaped cards for Father's Day as our First Sunday craft activity.

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Gotan-E Service with Guest Speaker Rev. Arthur Kaufmann

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Our guest speaker for our Gotan-E Service was Rev. Arthur Kaufmann. Rev. Kaufmann shared a message about caring. You can watch Rev. Kaufmann's Dharma Talk on our YouTube channel or by clicking on the play button below.

Sunday Family Service

Rev. Bert Sumikawa gave the Dharma Message at our Sunday Family Service. We learned how geese support each other when they fly in a V formation. 

  • Behind the leader, each goose provides additional lift to the one flying behind it

  • The goose in the front, who doesn't get the benefit of reduced air resistance, expends the most energy as the leader of the formation.

  • When the lead goose becomes tired, it falls back and another steps in seemlessly as the leader.

  • Geese constantly honk at each other, encouraging those flying in front.

  • If a goose in formation becomes unable to continue, it falls out of formation. But it doesn't do so alone. A couple others will accompany the injured goose until it's able to return or dies.

Geese are able to fly farther because of their ability to work as a team. Like geese, our church depends on members working together and supporting each other. 

After the service, we said aloha and best wishes to Amy Eggers and her family, as they embark on a new adventure in California. 

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Sunday Family Service

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Today’s Dharma message was given by Rev. Bert Sumikawa.  His message was regarding Mother’s Day.

Rev. Sumikawa said there are a number of Sutras that express reverence towards one’s mother and about the mother-child relationships.  He drew memories of his own relationship with his mother.  While he was young, she seemed strict and would occasionally scold him.  But, she would do things that he would later realize she did those things because of her love for him.  

He recalled that he was participating in a 5th grade May Day program and he needed to wear a white shirt which he didn’t have.  He didn’t tell told his mother until the night before.  Although she scolded him for telling her so late, she bought material and supplies that night and he woke up the next morning and found a brand new shirt for him.  She reminded him again to not wait until the last minute to tell her he needed something.

After the service, we celebrated birthdays for the month of May.  Because there was no service last Sunday, we did the First Sunday Activities today – Mother’s Day flowers and yarn leis.